In the old town of Belgaum, two men lived next door to each other.

One was Ganesh Kulkarni, a cheerful schoolteacher with a love for little pranks. He believed life is too serious, and a bit of laughter kept everyone young.

The other was Prabhakar Desai, a strict bank manager. He disliked jokes and believed rules must be followed in everything—from banking to how one should dry papads on the terrace.

Naturally, the two neighbors never agreed on anything.

One summer evening, Ganesh noticed Prabhakar’s brand-new leather sandals neatly placed outside his door. They looked polished, almost like they belonged in a shop window.

An idea popped into Ganesh’s head. He quietly picked up the sandals and hid them behind the garden bushes. Then he went out in evening as if nothing had happened.

Soon, Prabhakar came out and shouted, “Who stole my sandals?!” His booming voice echoed in the lane. Neighbors rushed out.

Ganesh joined them, pretending to be concerned.
“Oh no, sandals are missing. Such thieves have no shame! Don’t worry, Prabhakar, we will find them,” he said, trying hard not to laugh.

The next day, Ganesh returned the sandals secretly but tied the straps in a knot, so when Prabhakar tried wearing them, his feet got stuck.

“This town is cursed!” Prabhakar fumed. “First theft, now this nonsense!”

The neighbors chuckled quietly. They had all begun to suspect Ganesh but kept quiet, enjoying the drama.

Finally, one evening, Prabhakar caught Ganesh red-handed. He saw him tiptoeing near the sandals, ready to swap them with a pair of old chappals.

“Aha!” Prabhakar shouted, pouncing like a cat. “So, it was you all along!”

Ganesh, caught but unashamed, laughed heartily.
“Arrey, Prabhakar! You take life too seriously. A small joke hurts no one. Look—everyone in the neighborhood is smiling again after weeks!”

The neighbors, who had gathered around, nodded and laughed. Even Prabhakar’s own wife giggled.

For a moment, Prabhakar’s face turned red with anger. But then he sighed, sat on the steps, and muttered, “Perhaps… I do take things too seriously.”

From that day on, Prabhakar never admitted he enjoyed the prank, but he never locked up his sandals again either. In fact, he sometimes left them outside, perfectly polished, almost inviting Ganesh to play.

Ganesh would wink at him, but he never touched the sandals again because a mischief is funny only once.